Australia is considering a selection bombshell ahead of the first semi-final of the Cricket World Cup, according to the Herald Sun’s Sam Landsberger.
Usman Khawaja will go out of the squad with a hamstring injury and will be replaced by Peter Handscomb, but coach Justin Langer is also reportedly considering omitting Glenn Maxwell in favour of Matthew Wade.
Landsberger joined SEN Breakfast from the UK on Wednesday morning to explain what’s happening in the Aussie camp.
“Glenn Maxwell is in the gun, which I don’t think anyone could really believe as little as a few days ago,” he said.
“I think he’ll be out as we speak this morning and Matthew Wade will come in. So it will be Wade and Peter Handscomb into the batting line-up, so Usman Khawaja and Glenn Maxwell out so it’s a fair bombshell.
“I don’t think they’re 100 per cent set on their plans just yet, but there’s significant concerns with Maxwell and the way he’s facing the short ball.
“He’s got out in disappointing circumstances in four of the nine innings so far, he’s only averaging 22 with the bat.
“His dismissal against South Africa on Saturday was pretty poor.
“It would be a massive bombshell, particularly in a semi-final.”
The Aussies take on England on Thursday night in the second semi-final, but Landsberger added that he anticipates the game to go to the reserve day (Friday), with plenty of rain anticipated.
If the reserve day is also washed out, Australia will advance to the final as the higher-ranked side.